COMMUNITY LEADERS
CELEBRATE ASIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH AT GOVERNOR’S MANSION

Florida – May 30, 2010

More than 300 Asian American community leaders
across Florida attended the reception at the Governor’s Mansion in
Tallahassee on May 24, 2010 to celebrate the Asian Pacific American Heritage
Month.

In 1978, Congress passed a joined Congressional
Resolution to commemorate Asian American Heritage Week during the first week
of May, in recognition of two important events: the
arrival of the first Japanese Immigrants in America on May 7, 1843, and the
completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on
May 10, 1869. In 1990 Congress voted to expand it from a week to a month
long celebration and in May 1992, the month of May was permanently
designated as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.”

This is the second year that Governor Charlie
Crist has hosted a reception to recognize the contributions that Asian
Pacific Americans have made to the country, and especially to the State of
Florida.

“He was the first Governor in Florida to have
issued a proclamation recognizing the contribution of Asian Pacific
Americans, and
joining the community in its celebration of Asian
Pacific Heritage Month”, says Clyde Diao, Deputy Policy Coordinator for the
Florida’s Finance and Economic Analysis Policy Unit. “Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders have shared common struggles throughout
their histories in America -- including efforts to overcome racial, social,
and religious discrimination. Through perseverance and hard work,
they have achieved success and prospered as leaders in business, academia,
and public service.”

Diao also serves as Chairman of the Asian Coalition of Tallahassee (ACT), an
umbrella organization of about 15 associations and groups that aims to unite
the Asian communities in the Tallahassee area for promoting and sharing the
rich Asian culture and heritage with the citizens of Tallahassee through
community involvement and cultural events.

“Asian Pacific Americans are ethnically
diverse, but through our entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as our
love of family and community, we have
enriched our nation,” adds
Thayumanasamy Somasundaram, President of the India Association of
Tallahassee.“We are certainly honored by the Governor’s
recognition of our contribution to American society.”

As a token of appreciation, Dr. Joy Bruce,President of the Asian American Federation of
Florida, presented the Governor with a framed Census 2010 Poster , showing
portraits of local Asian leaders that make up the
“new face” of Florida. The poster was signed by officers and members of the
Federation that drove from Jacksonville, Orlando, Palm Bay, Miami and other
parts of the State to join Governor’s reception.

“This is an important year for us,” says Dr.
Bruce, “because we are finally joining hands in unity to push for a complete
2010 Census count of Asian Pacific Americans in Florida, that only happens
every 10 years.”

Asians in Florida, in particular, have received very little support from the
government, due to their lack of awareness on how the Census could affect
them. During the 2000 Census, only 266,256 Asians were counted throughout
the State of Florida.

“We have a much higher number than that,” adds
Dr. Bruce. “It is important for us
to get accurately counted so that the government and mainstream media will
be aware of how much we are contributing to society, and what kind of
services, resources and programs we need to meet the needs of our community.
We need to cooperate when the Census
takers knock on our doors, to make sure that we are counted. ”

America has had a very successful first half of
the 2010 Census, where more than 72 percent of the nation’s households
(including Florida) mailed back their census forms.
Still, households that either didn’t
mail back their form or didn’t receive one will be followed by door to door
visits through July 10, to ensure that no one is missed in the Census.

This year also marks the tenth
anniversary of the establishment of the White House Initiative on Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), which was created by President
Clinton to improve the quality of life in underserved Asian American and
Pacific Islander communities through increased participation in federal
programs, and to
make sure that the government is successfully working to address disparities
in health care, in education, and economic opportunity that exists within
various AAPI communities. Last October 2009, President Obama signed an
executive order reestablishing the White House Initiative on AAPI.

Christina Lagdameo, Deputy Director of White
House Initiative on AAPI will be meeting with delegates of the Asian
American Federation of Florida in Miami on June 7, 2010, to share
information about government resources and initiatives to increase AAPI access
to educational opportunities and participation in federal programs.